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Orioles Close To Signing Zaun

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8:45pm: Roch Kubatko has an update based on a direct conversation with Gregg Zaun.

From Kubatko: "The former Orioles catcher says team president Andy MacPhail and agent Dan Evans have been able to ’bridge the gap a little bit better, and recent conversations have been encouraging.’"

Kubatko expects Zaun to be signed next week, and suggests the Orioles are in control of the situation since the free agent catcher is willing to accept a one-year deal.

4:43pm: Peter Schmuck at the Baltimore Sun reports the Orioles are "very close" to signing free agent catcher Gregg Zaun to a one-year deal.

Zaun would likely be the starter until Matt Wieters is ready to go.

Odds And Ends: Johnson, Bloomquist, Smoltz

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Links for Saturday:

  • We knew Dan Johnson was heading to Japan, but now it’s official. He’ll play for the Yokohama BayStars and earn $1.5MM in 2009.
  • Rob Neyer writes that the Willie Bloomquist signing caps an offseason that’s cost the Royals a lot and left them with very little top talent.
  • Losing John Smoltz hasn’t been easy for the Braves.
  • MLB.com’s Tom Singer takes a look at some of the remaining free agent pitchers.
  • Buster Olney creates a team of the remaining free agents and it doesn’t look bad. He also has a fun idea for teams who want to sign a Type A free agent without losing their top pick.
  • Jim Johnson seems likely to start the season in the bullpen for Baltimore.
  • Peter Schmuck writes that at a low enough price it would make sense for the O’s to gamble on some pitchers to fill out the rotation.
  • Larry LaRue wonders whether the Mariners will hold onto Jamie Burke; Burke does too.

Heyman On Manny, Lowe, Crede, Redding, Hinske

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The latest from SI.com’s Jon Heyman…

  • The Giants "look like a major threat" to the Dodgers for Manny Ramirez and are "making a serious run at him."  Former teammate J.T. Snow apparently raved about him.  Nonetheless Heyman says the Dodgers are "probably still considered the favorite."  Heyman lists the Rangers as "intrigued."  He believes Ramirez will get three guaranteed years somewhere.
  • Heyman says Derek Lowe is "quite possibly" in play for the Phillies, though we heard from Ken Rosenthal today that the team denied interest.  Heyman also sticks with the Brewers and Angels as outside possibilities despite reports to the contrary.  He believes Mets GM Omar Minaya prefers Oliver Perez to Lowe.
  • The Giants, Twins, and Rangers are in on Joe Crede.
  • Players said to be in on Freddy Garcia: the Mets, White Sox, and Rangers.  We can probably cross off the Mets with their Tim Redding signing.
  • Heyman believes the Dodgers want to replace Brad Penny with Randy Wolf.
  • Heyman says the Pirates offered more guaranteed money than the Red Sox to Rocco Baldelli.  Dejan Kovacevic had this first in an article published early this morning.
  • The Red Sox were looking at Eric Hinske but with Baldelli and Mark Kotsay in tow it’s unlikely.  A Japanese team has "allegedly shown interest" in Hinske.
  • Before signing with the Rays for two years and $16MM, Pat Burrell was getting offers in the one-year, $5MM range.

Odds and Ends: Bradley, Roberts, Cruz, Smoltz

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Links for Friday…

Rosenthal On Fielder, Buchholz, Edmonds

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The latest from Ken Rosenthal…

  • Rosenthal suggests the Brewers trade Prince Fielder for "premium pitching" and then sign Adam Dunn to replace him.  Which begs the question, why wouldn’t the team giving up this premium pitching just sign Dunn instead?
  • Despite signing John Smoltz, the Red Sox still are not willing to trade Clay Buchholz for Jarrod Saltalamacchia.  The Sox may be willing to move Michael Bowden or especially Daniel Bard for Salty.
  • The Yankees’ interest in Mike Cameron "seems to be waning."
  • Despite Jon Heyman’s report, the Phillies, Angels, and Brewers deny interest in Derek Lowe.  Rosenthal says the market for Oliver Perez is even worse.
  • Rosenthal suggests veterans such as Nomar Garciaparra, Frank Thomas, and Jim Edmonds could go the Kenny Lofton route.  Lofton, a capable player, sat out the 2008 season when his salary demands weren’t met.  As I mentioned yesterday, we’ll soon see which former stars are willing to play for a pittance (if you consider more than $500K a pittance).
  • The Orioles have Edmonds on the radar as a first base candidate.
  • Suitors for lefty reliever Dennys Reyes: the A’s, Mets, and Dodgers.  The Tigers and Rangers are also known to be on the lookout for a southpaw in the pen.

Braves, Orioles Eyeing Kenshin Kawakami

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11:14pm: Yahoo’s Tim Brown says the Braves were aggressive on Kawakami even before John Smoltz left, so the Japanese pitcher is in a good position.  Brown’s list of Kawakami suitors includes some new clubs.  He names the Braves, Cardinals, Red Sox, Twins, Pirates, Orioles, and possibly Yankees.

A Nikkan Sports article about Kawakami (in Japanese) has been making the rounds lately.  I asked Patrick Newman about it; apparently it says Kawakami has advanced to final negotiations with the Braves.  My guess is that this report jumped the gun.

8:34pm: Steve Melewski of MASN reports that the Orioles are still in the hunt for Japanese pitcher Kenshin Kawakami.

"The O’s remain in the mix, no question," a source told MASN. "They’ve showed a strong pursuit of Kawakami."  Baltimore has already signed another Japanese import, Koji Uehara, but are looking for more starting pitching depth.  Kawakami, 34, has a career record of 106-62 and a 3.17 ERA in Japan.  The O’s extended an offer to him at the end of December, but he’s obviously keeping his options open.  The Braves, Twins and Cardinals are also believed to have interest.

Orioles Rumors: Roberts, Uehara, Zaun, Pudge

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10:46pm: Roch Kubatko says Zaun wants a two-year deal but the Orioles prefer one year.  The O’s are also talking with Ivan Rodriguez.  Kubatko adds that Kenshin Kawakami was seeking a three-year deal.  In another post, Kubatko says the O’s have no interest in Shelley Duncan, but Richie Sexson and Ty Wigginton are possibilities for first base.  Peter Schmuck adds Nick Swisher, Ryan Garko, Billy Butler, and Ryan Shealy as trade possibilities.

Dan Connolly says the Orioles offered Brian Roberts a multiyear extension at about $10MM per, but the two sides have not made progress and Roberts doesn’t want talks dragging into the season.  Andy MacPhail said he hasn’t had trade talks for Roberts for at least a month.  As for Nick Markakis, the sides were about $10MM apart on a possible six-year extension.

11:31am: Orioles notes…

  • As you know, the Orioles reached an agreement with their first-ever Japanese player, Koji Uehara.  It’s a two-year deal worth $10MM guaranteed, with another $6MM in incentives and bonuses.  Patrick Newman offers commentary on the signing, which is not getting a ton of press in the Japanese media.  Keith Law wonders if Baltimore was a wise choice for Uehara.
  • Dan Connolly says the Orioles’ immediate priority is now to add a catcher, with Gregg Zaun and Ivan Rodriguez the candidates.
  • Peter Schmuck says the O’s are looking for a reserve infielder as well.  They’ve talked to Chris Gomez’s agent and Willie Bloomquist "might be another possibility."

Red Sox Close To Signing Rocco Baldelli

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9:25pm Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe has sources close to the talks that say Baldelli "appears to be inching closer" to signing with the Red Sox.  Were the Orioles one of the suitors?

8:28pm Peter Gammons is reporting that the Red Sox are close to signing Rocco Baldelli, with an announcement expected Thursday night.

The Boston Red Sox were close to signing free-agent outfielder Rocco Baldelli on Wednesday night. It is expected to be announced at the Boston Baseball Writers Dinner, where Baldelli will be honored.

The Boston Baseball Writers Dinner is scheduled for Thursday evening. Baldelli will be in attendance to receive the Tony Conigliaro award.

Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.

Rosenthal On Dunn, Angels, Garland, Roberts

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Let’s take a look at the latest from Ken Rosenthal.

  • The Dodgers won’t go after Adam Dunn until they exhaust their options with Manny Ramirez.  Rosenthal likes the Dunn-L.A. match.  Should Dunn opt for a one-year deal so he can try his hand at a weaker free agent market?
  • Rosenthal wonders if Tony La Russa and/or Albert Pujols will depart if the Cardinals do not contend in coming seasons.
  • The Angels are not in on any hitter currently, but could engage in trade talks this summer if necessary.
  • Rosenthal drives home just how difficult it would be for the Mets to move Luis Castillo.  He says the team wants to bring in a capable backup infielder such as Alex Cora, David Eckstein, or Craig Counsell.
  • The D’Backs made offers for Jon Garland and Brad Penny, but Penny signed with Boston and they’re out on Garland.  Rosenthal says the D’Backs still aren’t necessarily in the market for a starter.
  • A Brian Roberts trade is said to be a "growing possibility."
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